Mike Patterson, One of Longest-Tenured Eagles, Also Released

Busy day for the Eagles. Hours after announcing the release
of Cullen Jenkins, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter revealed fellow veteran defensive
tackle Mike Patterson had joined his ex-teammate on the chopping block.

No player had been with the organization longer than Patt,
who was the 31st-overall selection in the 2005 draft by Philadelphia following
their Super Bowl loss to the New England Patriots. Todd Herremans and Trent
Cole were also members of that class.

Patterson’s contract was scheduled to run through 2016, but
the remaining years were all base salary, so the Eagles assume no dead money
against the cap. The team saves $3 million in ’13, and much more in later
years, including some figures this particular player never would have seen.

At one time, Patt along with ’06 first rounder Brodrick
Bunkley formed a stout tandem along the interior of Eagles’ defensive line.
Neither was especially disruptive though. Patterson logged two 16.5 sacks in
eight seasons, so about two per year, and never finished with more than four.

After appearing in at least 15 games for seven years, and
starting at least 14 every season since he was a rookie, Patterson only made it
for five games in ’12. He had offseason brain surgery, then was moved to the
non-football illness list late in the season with pneumonia.

When we mentioned Jenkins’ release earlier, we mentioned
Fletcher Cox, Cedric Thornton, and Antonio Dixon appeared to have potential
roles in a 3-4 alignment, which the Eagles are expected to gravitate towards.
Patt is not an obvious fit at either end or nose tackle, so his departure makes
sense.

Mike P. wasn’t a great player, and rarely stood out in any
particular way, but he was solid and did his job. Shame to see him go, but he’ll
turn 30 in September, and the Eagles are in the process of undergoing some
radical changes.

DT Mike Patterson: I want to thank the fans ... It is never easy to say goodbye to a fan base that supported me no matter what.